OECD published results of the Alignment Assessment

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12.03.2020

OECD published results of the Alignment Assessment

Recently, the OECD published the results of Alignment Assessment of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (PST) . With the Alignment Assessment, the OECD examines to what extent the approach of the Textiles Partnership takes into account the recommendations on due diligence in the textile sector (OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector). The study focused on the review process and the support offered to member companies.

The results in brief

In its requirements for member companies for the review process and in the supporting documents, the Textiles Partnership takes into account the vast majority of the OECD recommendations in full or at least in part (50 % to 70 % agreement).

The PST also has clear strengths as a platform for dialogue and learning. This was confirmed by companies, NGOs, trade unions and the German government in interviews conducted by the OECD.

However, deficits are apparent in parts of the question grid, in the specifications for binding and recommended targets and in the external audit in the review process. There it is emphasised that the audits do not evaluate the quality of the objectives set and the measures carried out systematically enough and therefore cannot sufficiently support the member companies in fulfilling their due diligence obligations.

In addition, some important principles of the due diligence approach, such as meaningful stakeholder dialogue and a consistent gender perspective in the review process, have not yet been sufficiently taken into account.

With regard to the publication of roadmaps and progress reports, the OECD also notes that, due to the existing procedural and substantive requirements in the Textiles Partnership, the informative value of the reports for the public could be improved.

What are the benefits of the results?

The OECD recommendations were an important basis for the revision of the review process. As of this year, the companies in the PST are therefore undergoing a fundamentally revised and improved review process. Further information on the review process can be found here.

The results of the Alignment Assessment will also contribute to the further alignment activities with other initiatives at European level. As two of our most important cooperation partners - the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition - have also gone through the Alignment Assessment and implemented the OECD recommendations, significant progress can be expected.

Links and further information

The OECD published the report here .

Find a response of the Textiles Partnership on how to deal with the OECD recommendations here.

In our last year's annual report (DE and - German multi-stakeholder delegation visits India) you will find further Information on the Alignment Assessment of the PST (p. 35).

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